Hi there!
I was actually shown how to give them the shot, but to tell the truth, I'm
not able to verbalize the reasons I don't want to have to do that. (And fear
isn't the reason, there are some days I could do it just because they've ticked
me off! LOL!!) I can get them anywhere fast enough, although in some freak
emergency I can tell the paramedics what to do. In fact, after this last
surgery, I CAN DO ANYTHING!!! LOL! From my limited understanding again, it's
not their immune system that is compromised (however it is the same result). I
have a wonderful book written in understandable English I will quote from here:

"In CAH, one of the adrenal enzymes is missing. This particular enzyme controls
the production of both cortisol and the salt-retaining hormone." "The body
usually responds to sickness (fever, infection, or other illness) and physical
injury by releasing more cortisol. This helps to boost the blood sugar and
blood pressure, aiding recovery. In CAH, the adrenal glands are unable to make
more cortisol. Therefore the body is less protected, and the effects of illness
or injury may be more severe. Adrenal crises can be readily prevented (see
......)." Then it goes on to tell about meds. This is the reason why you would
triple the meds in emergencies, because the body would normally do that, but in
CAH it just can't.

This is actually a great book. It's called "Your Child with Congenital Adrenal
Hyperplasia" by G.L. Warne. (A hospital in Melbourne funded it and a doctor in
NC gave it to me when the girls were about 4, 4 years too late for me, but it's
been helpful to have it around for the girls.) It doesn't talk down to you, but
at the same time, it doesn't assume that you are some med student either.
(Although, now I'm sure I could be!!!)

Hope everyone is feeling better at your homes! Angi